Liquidity problems at RTV Slovenija: they plan to reduce or cancel broadcasts and lower reach of content

RTV Slovenia, the public broadcaster of Slovenia, is facing severe liquidity issues that have prompted management to consider reducing or even canceling certain programs, alongside lowering content output across its platforms. The situation has escalated to the point where the board of RTV Slovenia convened an extraordinary session in July to demand clarity from management regarding how the organization plans to cover expenses related to national programming and music production, which together amount to over 15 million euros annually. According to reports, RTV Slovenia borrowed 9.5 million euros to meet its July payroll obligations, with total debt reaching approximately 7.5 million euros by late July. The Ministry of Culture rejected RTV Slovenia’s request for around four million euros intended for music production, citing a lack of legal basis for such funding. Officials at the ministry insisted on concluding a contract before funds could be released, while RTV management argued additional contractual arrangements with the state were unnecessary. A similar requirement was imposed prior to the release of 10 million euros for the Office for National Minorities. These financial constraints have forced RTV Slovenia to reassess its operations and budget allocations. In response to these challenges, RTV Slovenia has published a document outlining anticipated deviations from its Program and Production Plan (PPN) for this year, though the document remains marked as draft material. The plan includes a reduction in the number of episodes for specific radio programs, including the show Pričevalci, which had previously been highlighted in earlier reports. Management at Radio Slovenia has announced plans to cut back on the number of episodes for several shows, potentially leading to their cancellation or significant shortening. Additionally, the station intends to reduce the reach of its content, aiming for a coverage rate of 23.2 percent, down from the originally planned 24.2 percent for the network's programs. Regional centers within Television Slovenia are reportedly planning to discontinue local reporting by October, redirecting staff resources toward preparing content for the national channel. They also intend to broadcast fewer foreign films, series, and documentaries than initially scheduled. While the PPN initially aimed to maintain viewership of the first program, current plans suggest a slight decline in audience numbers is acceptable. Furthermore, the number of live sports broadcasts will decrease by 20, with time allocated for international football matches during the World Cup being reduced compared to initial plans. Radio Slovenia’s editorial team had previously planned to introduce a new music show requiring extensive set design, ambitious studio production, more participants, costume costs, lighting equipment, field crews, sound production, hiring external performers, and licensing fees for music usage. However, they have since reconsidered and opted instead to revamp the existing format of Kdo bi vedel. Approximately half of the budget originally allocated for the new show will be redirected towards this revamped version. Reductions in funding for external contributors are also expected to impact the timeliness and volume of content available on the website, teletext, and social media platforms. This includes shorter moderation periods for user comments, which could limit opportunities for readers to engage with articles through commentary. RTV Slovenia acknowledges that these measures will likely affect the audience reach and engagement levels of its programs. Nevertheless, the organization emphasizes that its primary objectives remain ensuring stable business operations and uninterrupted delivery of public service.